FWC Rodeo and a little cheer:)

The Rodeo day at the kids school is my FAVORITE thing they do- it's just so precious! The PE teachers run it and they do such a great job! Parker had a GREAT time and won (again) the bull-dogging contest- highlight of the year for him!

This is the "pork-and-beans" relay- they have to take the pig and bean bags raised over their heads down, around the cone, and back:)

 This is the wagon-wheel. Sie and Parker were hilarious doing this- SOOO hard for them not to run:)

 And this is the bull-dogging   Basically everyone has on flags and you run around pulling them off until 5 or 6 are left- then you all get inside the middle circle and go again:)

 Then the square-dancing began:) SO precious! Parker got paired with Kendall so it was a GOOD day!:) I was sitting next to my mom in the audience and she reminded me that when she was second grade, they did square dancing and she had to be in charge of the record player because she wasn't allowed to dance!!:) poor mom- you really missed out!

 Seriously, they are so cute! By the way, Parker DID wear cowboy boots to school but if you are a serious competitor, you wear your tennis shoes during the rodeo for better traction:)

 Sie and Parker (they are like 20 days apart and Parker is older-ha!)

 Grami and Bridge came to cheer him on!

 We try to get a picture of these 4 at every event since they've been friends since they were born!

And Chandler has had quite a few cheer competitions over the last few months- this last one was in Fort Worth and they WON FIRST PLACE!! They were so excited! She has worked really hard this year and it is all paying off! She has NCA Nationals in about 2 weeks so they are diligently working to win again there!!

Happy New Year 2013!

Ok so I'm a little behind but had to share some pics of our new year. We had pretty much the same crowd as always and I am always thankful these friends choose our house to spend ringing in the new year! We were all big kids this year and actually celebrated at 12:00 instead of going for the New York time:) Sweet Beck was there (only for about an hour:( but we had fun with him!) He ran up the stairs to go find a car he had played with the last time he was here- such a smart little boy! Man do we love him!

 I throw all the hats and decorations in a bucket and use the same things every year- the kids rummage through it and pick out what they want to wear and what noise maker they want to drive us crazy with:)

 Chandler and Sharon making sure the meal is ready for the guests

 Ryan brought some fireworks and since I'm not a huge fan, I stayed inside for this activity but the kids LOVED it! And everyone assured me they were the "safe" kind!

We had really fun night and were so thankful to be surrounded by friends that we love and who love us! Happy 2013!

Christmas 2012

just a short and sweet post with pics of our Christmas! We all went to Ashlee and Jonathan's house- which was so festive and they were such wonderful hosts! We all had a wonderful time! SO many of us got sick either before or after but for a blessed 3 days we were all fine and lots of memories were made!
 Bev came on Christmas Eve and gave a gift to the kids from her and Laura.  They knew how special the water park passes were that Chelsa gave them every year and decided to carry on the tradition for her- so sweet!! We desperately missed our sweet Chelsa this Christmas- so many times we'd just stop because a memory or longing would just stop us in our tracks. She LOVED being with the kids on Christmas and it just was hard without her.  This is her last Christmas (with all the first-borns:)

One great thing about this year was we were just really relaxed and had fun just hanging out together. The kids all got along great and had fun playing all sorts of made-up games:)

 Seriously Rhett is just so adorable!

 As mom and daughter were walking together I just had to get a shot of their shoes!:)

 Parker got Chandler a Duck Dynasty shirt:)

 Grami put one of Rhett's presents in this giant sack because we knew she'd love the sack as much or more than the gift!

 And then it SNOWED on CHRISTMAS!!!! So much fun!

 Rhett's first snow!

And then Heather emailed me a link to their "Gotcha Day" video of them bringing Beck home and we ALL gathered around to watch that- AWESOME video!  Go watch it now!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Fun in Fall!

(this title is for my sister Ashlee:)
Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone and we had lots of fun memories made with each! We went over to the Woodwards house for trick or treating with Chandler's Dgroup. She was a cowgirl and the boys were both characters from Duck Dynasty.

I have always LOVED dressing up but have spared my children for the last few years by restraining that love....until this year. I just HAD to go as one of my heroes! (and yes I am totally serious- I really do LOVE Michelle Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting- and want to be like her when I grow up!:)

 Quickly after Halloween we started getting ready to have 29 people to our house for Thanksgiving! It was SO much fun and I think everyone had a great time! Thankfully the weather was gorgeous and we could all spread out outside:)

 Patton "built" a "treehouse"  (I use these terms very loosely) and most of the kids decided to check it out

 Jeff, MaryKay and Karen gettin that bird ready!

 This is where the 5 youngest ate...(Angie and Jason giving a pep talk:)

 Let the buffet begin- all the food was delicious as usual! Everyone brought several things so not just one person was slaving away all day- it was very easy and relaxed!

 My mom came too- and she was over every day for a week before helping me get ready!

 The older kids had to eat outside:) (again- so thankful for the weather) but when you have 29 people it's just what you gotta do! -of course Patton would grab the giant turkey leg:)

 The adult table(s)  This is pretty much a terrible picture of everyone (not sure why Jeff has his little pinky up:)?) but you get the idea-- tight but fun!

 Then the older kids played dress up with the youngest

 And stunted for quite a while

 Then it was time for the game of the century-- Outlaws VS. Truebloods    (the original Polk kids against us in-law types:) and we split the kids    Flag football at its finest!

 Papa giving advice to his kids- they're gonna need it

 It was close the whole time- and we ended in a tie! So thankful for this family!!

Well I am off to Africa TOMORROW!!! (So obviously I'm gonna catch up the blog instead of finishing packing:) I hope to post on here and facebook as often as possible! Jeff and I are going with Bread for a Hungry World (with Bobby Moore, Ali Maddox, and Lori Spicer) and leaving the kids here with my mom for TWO weeks!! She is the best! Can't wait for several aspects of this trip- but mostly hugging on my boy! Lots of pics to come I'm sure!!